Page 30 of Guided by the Stars (Creating Destiny #1)

Alexius

When Glass Shatters

Shooting pain reaches an unbearable limit. It’s like a thousand knives wrapped in the flames of the burning sun, slicing into my skin.

“My son. I’m always in charge and I can break you just as easily as I made you. Let this mark be a reminder. One day you will be thankful. All of this will prepare you to be the prince under my throne.”

Zeus pulls the energy from the rays above, calling the blaze of the sun into his body and infusing it into his bolt. Upon contact, the heat of the flames sear deep into my body, tearing through tissue. My flesh is permanently burned as a constant reminder to never disobey.

“Fuck!” I scream, unable to hold back. With the intensity of the current he sends through me, every part of me is on fire, scorching under his power.

Hera leans her face in, pulling on my chains, spreading my arms wide high above me.

“This mark is perfect. I picked it out myself. But don’t worry, what I have planned next will be even better.

” Her giddy voice fades as exhaustion takes over, and as my eyes close, sky blue eyes appear in the darkness.

***

“Alexius, you’re back,” Hera’s menacing voice jolts me out of the haze. “Now the real fun begins.”

I strain to lift my head, groaning with the movement, and focus my eyes, looking forward.

Through blurred vision, I can make out the pond up ahead with her fucking lotus flowers floating around.

It’s smaller than her personal garden, but is her favorite view from this damn stage she’s built for punishments.

It’s beautiful on the outside with roses lining the gazebo, yet the white pillars are used to keep you held in place, putting you on full display for anyone walking around the Assembly Garden.

The stage is to set an example of what could happen if you disobey them.

Hera’s deep, sinister laughter is next to my ear.

She’s close, holding the whip in her hand.

She lowers it, and cool leather tangled with the sting of eagle feathers rubs against the back of my thigh.

“Yes, I do love the time we spend together when you visit,” she purrs, trailing the whip over my bare ass and over my burn.

I tug against the chains binding my wrists. I scream, spit flying everywhere as she snaps it down. Feathers slice into my torched skin. Leather erupts against my flesh like molten lava. Her laughter mixes with the whistles of each strike. Over and over again.

Another piercing scream rips from deep within my lungs as Zeus pierces bolts through my feet, holding me in place.

The current from his lightning surges through my limbs, making my veins explode.

His power combining with mine overloads me, and the pain of it brings a tear to my eye and guttural screams to my throat.

I want to beg, scream for them to stop. Instead I bite into my cheek, and my body trembles, as blood fills my mouth. With each hit, I grow weaker.

“There, there, my dear boy. We’re not done yet.

” Hera’s face appears, hugging her serpents like fragile pets as she reaches up, releasing them onto my arm.

They slither along my skin, making their way to my neck, and wrap themselves around me.

Little by little they tighten, the pressure building with their hold.

With a hiss, they snap down, digging their fangs into my jaw and releasing their poison.

Hera’s tongue reaches forward, licking me from my neck to my mouth. “You have no idea how good your blood tastes. One day I will make sure I drain every ounce from you,” she promises, increasing the speed of the whip against my back, delivering the message loud and clear. I’m always only theirs.

***

“Fuck,” I hiss, startled awake, looking up at the ceiling of the stone chamber I’m in. This is in the lower level of the Hall, a judgement cell where Zeus sends those who are to await their punishment. For fuck’s sake, I hope he’s done.

Sitting up from the ground, I rub my tired eyes, feeling the venom of the serpents still circling through my body.

Those fuckers are strong and can knock out any giant creature.

I guess I should be grateful that Hera brought them out, however, with that bitch I’m left wondering what else she fucking did .

The stone door creeks and I snap my head towards it as Aphrodite appears.

Her eyes widened in shock at seeing me. I’m in better shape than most of the times I’m punished.

There’s blood caked into the shirt they dressed me in and aches cover my entire body, but the burn from Zeus’ rays only radiates with a dull fire along my back.

All things considered, I’m lucky the venom kept me out for this long.

I’m healed for the most part and only left weak and tired.

“Aphrodite, this is my son, do not interfere. Go seek your pleasure elsewhere,” Zeus orders, stepping into the room, barely glancing my way.

Aphrodite saunters toward him and lifts her finger, outlining the side of his face, drawing his attention “My sweet god, I have a way with men and making sure they pay. I was trying to help like you’ve ordered,” she says, and I roll my eyes, giving my attention to my ruler, who’s clearing his throat and looking down at Aphrodite’s naked body.

“The poison from the serpents kept you asleep for a few days. Given your past loyalty, you’re lucky I felt generous, otherwise I would have let Hera wake you,” he says to me before meeting my eyes. “Let this be a reminder to you, I’m your father. You serve me without betrayal.”

I nod, getting up, and he snickers at me.

“Go home, my son. Next time, instead of sticking a thunderbolt through you, I will suck energy out of every source, striking you with a pressure more powerful than my enemies have ever felt. Understood?” I don’t utter a word at his threat.

This is routine. The same existence I live every day, there’s no reason to argue with him.

Instead I walk past him, eager to head home to the one person I truly want to see.

** *

As I open the door, I regret making it home so fast.

“Kai took her to the Underworld.” Daemyn’s voice hits my ears and I grumble in frustration. Every muscle in my body is spent, lacking energy, and unprepared for the fierceness of Nora if we are explaining Kai.

Both sets of heads snap towards me as I enter the kitchen.

Daemyn’s concerned gaze looks me over before he nods in greeting, hiding the questions he wants to ask.

Nora is void of the concern she had before I left.

Her face is drawn tight into a frown, her eyes narrowed to determined slits.

Guess she’s not happy I made it home to eat after all.

“Like, as in Hades? The King of the Dead?” She speaks to the room, but her eyes stay on mine, blaming me, threatening me. She’s accusing me as though I’m the sole god responsible for all this grief. Her eyes show the pure rage and fear flashing through her.

“Now you know where she is. Go get her. Now!” she yells.

Daemyn stands there between us, staring, refusing to help, but wanting no part in this.

The cellar isn’t looking as bad as I thought. I could have stayed and focused on healing instead of having to break her little heart. With a sigh, I take the burden, “Love, I can’t portal into the Underworld. First, it takes a lot of energy that I don’t have right now—”

“Bullshit. We have an answer. There has to be a way in. Get us there now.”

“Nora. I’m God of the Sky in Olympus. I’m not allowed entrance.” I attempt to soften my tense muscles and inch a little forward, unsure how to explain that we have boundaries between our domains.

“What do you mean ‘not allowed’? You’re the damn son of a god.

The god! Act like it and get her back, maybe even break the bastard’s neck for taking her down there in the first place.

” She rests her hands on her hips, fueled, ready to fight.

It’s completely opposite to how she’s behaved so far.

No panic. No crying. There’s a determination in her stance, she’s loyal and willing to do what it takes to protect the person she loves.

It’s something I admire, knowing a thing or two about that myself.

Unfortunately for her, it’s impossible for me to cave to her demand.

“Nora, get that idea out of your pretty little head. Hades blocked me from entering his kingdom,” I say, biting down my irritation.

I try to stay calm despite how frustrating this is.

Hades and Kai will never let me enter. Not knowing that I took what they wanted.

The only choice would be if I use Nora as a bargaining tool, but that shit isn’t going to happen.

“Sneak in! Gods have done it before!” she demands, shaking with anger.

Daemyn places a hand on her shoulder, finally coming to my rescue, “Nora, sneaking in isn’t as easy as you think.

A day to us could mean mere hours, weeks, or even years in the Underworld.

Time works differently there. He could find himself stuck.

And that’s if he finds a way around Hades’s barrier.

He is the only one who can grant access to those who enter or leave his home. ”

“Woman, like I said, I can’t just walk in.

It’s suicide anyway. Anyone who enters either dies or surrenders themselves to the mercy of Hades,” I add, done with this conversation.

She makes it sound so easy. Gods have given up their souls doing what she’s asking, and the few who have survived paid a price far worse than death.

You lose a part of yourself to the Underworld.

“Fuck!” I yell as hard glass crashes against my sore face, hitting me in the middle of my forehead.

It shatters on the floor and I sigh, looking at her.

Hades is a sadistic ass, manipulating his realms to creep into your mind, torturing you for eternity.

I wasn’t wrong for saying going in would be suicide, but that look on her face hits harder than the glass and makes me regret my words.

Her lips twitch, her chest rises faster, and her beautiful eyes are red with tears. Anger, I can handle. The sadness, however, I have no way of fixing. I took away her hope and left her devastated. “Love,” I whisper, attempting to move closer.

She only allows me to move a couple of feet before she runs past us to her bedroom. I wince, hearing the door slam shut as she locks herself away.

“She threw a fucking cup at me.” I give a fake laugh to Daemyn, resisting the urge I have to run after her.

“The rate you’re going, we’ll be out of mugs,” he chuckles with a roll of eyes.

“Think about it. What would you do if you were in her shoes?” He holds his hands up, stopping me from my smartass remark.

“I’m serious here. She was kidnapped and taken to a place she never believed existed, only to be hidden and dependent on the same jackasses that took her.

We told her what we could, which is too little, and she’s terrified. ”

I scoot forward, taking a seat. Daemyn does not miss a beat, he hands me his glass of ambrosia and stares, inspecting me, turning serious. “Alexius? How bad this time?”

He takes a seat and listens as I recount everything.

He focuses on the details, considering each word before asking, “You think Aetos Dios picked up on Nora?” It’s not surprising to me that his voice is full of worry, he’s a loyal god and this simple mortal girl has us under her damn spell.

The idea of a creature, or anyone, catching her is haunting us.

“I’m sure he did. Even Hera caught a whiff of that damn lavender she wears.

But I checked, there’s no chance anyone felt her power.

For now, at least,” I reassure him and his eyes drift behind me, penetrating the wall.

Despite being hidden and securely locked away, her sadness lingers in the room with us.

“She’s too emotional, Daemyn. It’s overwhelming. ”

He shakes his head and places his hand on my shoulder.

“Remember, her world flipped around. Help her understand instead of expecting her to.” He pushes his chair out, standing.

“I can’t stay to watch the shit show you’re about to deal with.

Got a message to send.” He says walking to the back door, heading out.

As I wave him off he calls out, “She was worried about you. You could start with feeding her. After all, she said something about you promising to come home to eat.” Then he shut the door. I roll my eyes at him, get up, and prepare myself to make that grilled cheese thing she likes.